Gillis family of Port Arthur, Ontario

I am curiously seeking information on the Gillis family of Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay, Ontario).According to the 1901 census Bessie aged 49, Edwin aged 26, Malcolm aged 17, Mary aged 8 (my grandmother), Nellie aged 24 and Richard aged 14 all lived there.I am particularly interested in my great uncle Edwin, a veteran of the Boer War.Rumour has it that he remained in South Africa after the war.He apparently returned to Canada in 1913 and served in WW1 as a sapper in the Canadian Army (perhaps the 52Battalion), but died of influenza on the return home on a troop ship in 1919.He is not however, listed as a casualty on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.Truly an odd situation.I believe Edwin used his middle name John in both conflicts.If anyone can provide any information on Edwin or any other of these folks it would be greatly appreciated.Thank you.